The Boston Celtics secured a commanding 103-86 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, with Jrue Holiday playing a pivotal role in the victory. Holiday, known for his defensive prowess, was integral in the Celtics’ second-half turnaround.
After a tightly contested first half, in which Orlando led by a single point, the Celtics turned up the heat defensively in the second half. “We just turned it up,” Holiday said, acknowledging the team’s adjustment to Orlando’s aggressive play in the opening half. “We wanted to show we could withstand whatever punch they had.” The Celtics capitalized on this renewed defensive intensity, turning defense into easy offense in transition.
Holiday also emphasized the expected physicality of the matchup, noting the Magic’s scrappy nature. “We knew it was going to be physical. It’s playoff basketball,” he explained. “The seventh seed, they’re going to come out fighting and be physical.” The Celtics were well-prepared for the challenge, matching Orlando’s intensity throughout the game.
In a critical moment of the game, Holiday’s steal and subsequent three-pointer shifted the momentum in Boston’s favor. Reflecting on the play, he said, “It felt great. It’s playoff basketball, and you can feel the energy in the arena. You can feel it from the team too. It’s one of those moments where you realize, ‘We’re here.'” His defensive effort was critical in limiting Orlando’s offensive flow, while also energizing the Celtics’ transition game.
Holiday was quick to highlight the defensive contributions of Payton Pritchard, who added 19 points off the bench. “Payton was great,” Holiday said. “What makes him special is his defense. He picks up full court and is a dog on that end.” This defensive pressure allowed the Celtics to dictate the pace of the game and prevent Orlando from getting comfortable.
Holiday also spoke about his role in setting the tone early, stressing the importance of defense. “We always try to focus on our defense,” he stated. “Last year, that’s what really propelled us, and this year we’ve had moments where our defense has been spectacular.” Despite being one of the team’s primary scorers, Holiday remained focused on defense, acknowledging that the Celtics’ depth means he doesn’t need to carry the scoring load alone.
